26 essentials to host a great dinner party

Michael Hession

Whether you’re throwing a big bash or hosting an intimate meal, this is what you’ll need to go from cocktail hour to coffee and dessert with ease. Our picks—from classy coupe glasses to gorgeous serving platters—can go a long way to make the place feel fancy.

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›

What else is going on

An assortment of our under-$50 gift ideas.

Budget-friendly gift ideas

Our journalists spend thousands of hours researching items so we can recommend the very best come holiday season. Here’s our roundup of great (and tested!) gift ideas under $50.

A mirror and a framed print hanging on a wall.

How to hang heavy stuff

Installing a shelf, TV, or curtain rod? Here are the essentials, the nice-to-haves, and the gear you can ditch entirely to get the job done.

A blender that has just been used to make a fruit smoothie, next to a cup full of smoothie, on a kitchen counter.

The easiest way to clean a blender

The trick is to let the motor do most of the work for you—especially to get the stuff that sticks to the underside of the blade. Here’s our quick guide.

30 dAYS OF GIFTS

For the around-the-house helper

Even seasoned handypeople don’t always have the best tools for the job. This screwdriver works faster with less effort, thanks to a smooth ratcheting mechanism and 12 bits conveniently nestled inside the handle.

Get the 13-in-1 Ratcheting Driver

Today’s best deals

Victrola Eastwood Signature Record Player

Deal price: $80 | Street price: $100

Price reflects in-cart for members (free to join)

This no-setup turntable is the best option if you want the least expensive all-in-one record player that still sounds decent.

Buy now from Bloomingdale’s

Catan Board Game

Deal price: $25 | Street price: $45

This iconic civilization-building board game is strategic, interactive, and fun to play. The rounds tend to go long, though, so keep snacks on hand and settle in for a competitive game night.

Buy now from Amazon

Zojirushi Zutto 5-Cup Coffee Maker

Deal price: $59 | Street price: $73

Our also-great cheap coffee maker pick makes consistent, flavorful, and hot brews. Its compact, no-frills design looks good in small spaces.

Buy now from Amazon

Apple Pencil (2nd Generation)

Deal price: $89 | Street price: $120

The 2nd-generation Apple Pencil is the absolute best stylus money can buy. It offers premium features, like universal pressure sensitivity and magnetic charging.

Buy now from Amazon

For more deals on our picks, check out the Wirecutter Deals page.

View email in browser

You are receiving this email because you signed up for

Wirecutter’s Newsletter.

Getting too many emails from us?

To stop receiving these, unsubscribe here.  

Wirecutter, Inc.

620 Eighth Avenue. New York, NY 10018  

Privacy Policy | California Notices | Terms of Service | Contact Us

holiday dinner party classy coupe glasses gorgeous serving platters come holiday season Budgetfriendly gift ideas

26 essentials to host a great dinner party

Key phrases

Older messages

Wirecutter’s ultimate gift-giving guide

Here's the best digital photo frame

7 great tech deals

Lego flowers we love

The 61 best gifts under $100

You Might Also Like

45 Great Mother's Day Gifts for Your Wife That’ll Earn You Brownie Points

On love and desire, The Universe in Verse book, inside the creative process of beloved artists

The Week in Review

100+ Best Way Day Deals to Shop for the Next 72 Hours

How to Trace Your Ancestry Without Paying Too Much

Weekend: How To Deal With Ex-Best Friends 👭

Modern Words, Ancient Practice

"Nachum: Spring Songs" by Moses ibn Ezra

The Vintage Engagement Ring French Girls Can't Get Enough Of

Perfect Your Pushup by Avoiding These 3 Mistakes